computer problem

[glatt]

Originally Posted by mbpark

A laptop battery can go through 300 cycles in less than 2 years. After that, the batteries start having major issues.

So do you have any tips for battery management to get the longest life possible?

Should the battery be allowed to discharge fully before recharging? Typically I have mine on battery power for an hour or so before I plug it back in to be charged for the next day. So I only drain it halfway before recharging. Does that matter?

[tw]

Originally Posted by glatt

So do you have any tips for battery management to get the longest life possible?
Should the battery be allowed to discharge fully before recharging?

NiCds once had memory problems. The solution was to completely discharge and then recharge that technology. And then the problem was eliminated with newer chemistries. But the myths live on.

Discharging a battery down simply reduces its life expectancy by one. It does nothing useful.

Leaving a battery discharged (any technology) decreases its life expectancy. This is especially true of sealed lead acid batteries in UPSes.

Better chargers can be left connected to batteries - and not shorten life expectancy. Some chargers left recharging a battery too long can be harmful. That would not be the case (a problem) for laptops. Still, it is better to power off a laptop if the battery does not need recharging due to extremely rare events - because that minor energy consumption has no advantages.

In jinx's case, the battery should be (and can easily be) replaced maybe for something between $40 and $120.

Operating a laptop on battery power for an hour means you will be replacing that battery soon. Laptops used that way means replacing batteries - probably a few times. Laptops are intended to be used from AC power (not batteries) most of the time.

[Clodfobble]

Originally Posted by tw

Laptops are intended to be used from AC power (not batteries) most of the time.

If I have to be plugged into the wall, it might as well be a desktop.

[lumberjim]

you could get an extension cord?

[mbpark]

Portable generator?

[tw]

Originally Posted by Clodfobble

If I have to be plugged into the wall, it might as well be a desktop.

A desktop stays in one location. Does not contain a UPS.

A laptop is mobile - can be used in (and powered by) a car. Contains a UPS. Can be used temporarily without power during unexpected events.

Or you can say money is no object and just keep buying batteries.

Technology is still slowly addressing this problem. Part of the solution is sold by Intel with the trade name Atom. HP and others are/were testing better battery technologies (500 cycles) in customer machines (who do not even know they were using experimental batteries). Things will get better because the computer industry is so innovative. And because some American battery companies have decided to let innovators innovate. But currently, laptops are not intended to be used regularly only from batteries.

Laptops are mobile devices that even contain a UPS. Do you regularly operate a desktop only from its UPS battery? Then learn how quickly that UPS battery fails. A UPS for desktops is a cheapest design. Wears out its batteries even faster. Laptops also have a UPS – typically rated only for 300 discharge cycles.

[Clodfobble]

Originally Posted by tw

A desktop stays in one location. Does not contain a UPS.

A laptop is mobile - can be used in (and powered by) a car. Contains a UPS. Can be used temporarily without power during unexpected events.

Yes, I understand the technological difference between the two. But if I can't drag my laptop all over the house for a couple hours at a time, then plug it back in to recharge before dragging it all over the house again... then it's no good to me.

Originally Posted by tw

Laptops also have a UPS – typically rated only for 300 discharge cycles.

How do partial discharges fit into this rating? Because I've had this laptop (with the original battery) for almost 3 years now, and I've run it on battery power for at least 2-3 hours a day, every single day. That's about 1000 partial discharges.

[lumberjim]

SITUATION!

If mbpark and Pete Zicato continue to refuse to PM jinx their addresses for cookie shipment, her feelings will be hurt, and I won't get any overflow cookies. Please rectify this situation, men.

/SITUATION!

[classicman]

I'll take em

[lumberjim]

point is ....she aint gonna make em if'n mitch and dar don't give her a reason to start the batches, bitches!

[classicman]

I've told her how beautiful, smart and and and she is. Not much more I can do...
<sulks away dejectedly>

[Pete Zicato]

PM sent.

[mbpark]

Will send PM later. It's been one of those days.

[tw]

Originally Posted by Clodfobble

How do partial discharges fit into this rating? Because I've had this laptop (with the original battery) for almost 3 years now, and I've run it on battery power for at least 2-3 hours a day, every single day. That's about 1000 partial discharges.

Best I can provide are ballpark numbers. For example, discharging to 25% may be equivalent to 10% of a life expectancy cycles. 50% discharge may be equivalent a 35% or 40% discharge cycle. And (of course) a 100% discharge would count as a 100% discharge cycle. Ballpark numbers that only demonstrate the trend.

Another factor is how fast a discharge occurs. Some batteries last longer if each discharge cycle is slower. Or if power drain does not involve high power demand spikes. If computer useage involves repeated sleeps or other 'low power' operations, then again, a battery discharge is not as destructive to life expectancy.

Specfic numbers are difficult to obtain.

[classicman]

Originally Posted by Clodfobble

How do partial discharges fit into this rating? Because I've had this laptop (with the original battery) for almost 3 years now, and I've run it on battery power for at least 2-3 hours a day, every single day. That's about 1000 partial discharges.

Just saw this and thought I'd pass it along.
How to make your electronics batteries last longer